Free Republic

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, who can argue that our democracy is working the way the Founders intended? And who can deny that most of the blame for dysfunction must fall to the Republican Party? George Washington distrusted all political parties. He warned in his farewell address that, as they alternated power, parties would act in “the spirit of revenge” — rather than, presumably, in the best interests of the nation. The “disorders and miseries” that resulted, Washington feared, would inevitably threaten democracy. Whatever the motivation, Republicans have paralyzed our government in a way that would have shocked...

I wrote my congresscritter concerning BMovement.org and the congressional response. here was the reply: Congressman Mark Udall Serving Colorado's Front Range and Western Slope Dear Mr. Jones: Thank you for contacting me and expressing your views about how Congress should respond to public controversies involving free speech. As a general rule, I do not think it is the business of Congress to condemn or applaud statements by individuals or groups. And I strongly support every American's right to free speech. If Congress took time to notice every asinine or unfortunate public utterance, we would have little time to address the...

(AP) WASHINGTON -- A federal appeals court refused on Monday to step in and delay former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's prison sentence in the CIA leak case. The unanimous decision is a dramatic setback for Libby's legal case and puts pressure on President Bush, who has been sidestepping calls by Libby's allies to pardon the former aide to Vice President Dick Cheney. Libby faces 21/2 years in prison on his conviction of lying and obstructing the investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity. The former chief of staff to Cheney, he is the...

DURHAM, N.C. - A judge suspended District Attorney Mike Nifong effective immediately Tuesday after learning the prosecutor disbarred for his handling of the Duke lacrosse rape case intended to stay in office for another month. The sheriff immediately stripped Nifong of his badge and the keys to his office. There is probable cause to believe that Nifong "has engaged in willful misconduct in office and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, which brings the office into disrepute," Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson wrote in his order. Durham County Sheriff Worth Hill went to Nifong's house with a deputy to...